Introduction:
Hibiscus, commonly called Roselle, belongs to the family Malvaceae. Hibiscus has over 300 species of flowering plants, and one of them is Hibiscus sabdariffa Linne. It is considered a multipurpose plant that may have various health benefits. Hibiscus is a perennial flowering plant grown throughout the seasons. The shrub originated in Africa and is planted worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions of India, China, Sudan, Malaysia, Taiwan and many other countries.Hibiscus is cultivated for flowers, leaves, stems, seeds and roots. Hibiscus flowers and seed oils are widely used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical formulations. Hibiscus has medicinal value, which has been referenced in Ayurveda and the Chinese medicine system. It is commonly called Lalambari or Gudhal in Hindi and Jaswandh in Marathi.
Nutritional Value of Hibiscus: According to a study, regular consumption of hibiscus tea potentially lowered the blood pressure of a hypertensive patient as compared to the initial dose of the standard medication to lower the BP. So, hibiscus tea might be useful to bring down high BP with the avoidance of side effects of the medications used to treat hypertension.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
The whole plant of hibiscus, including the flower, stem, leaves, roots and seeds, has beneficial properties .
It may have antiseptic properties
It may have anti-spasmodic properties (relieves muscle spasms)
It may have blood pressure-lowering properties
It may have a mild laxative effect (help constipation)
It may have a diuretic effect (increase urine production)
It may have antioxidant activity
It may have anti-cancer activity
It may have an antipyretic effect (reduce fever)
It may have sedative properties
It may have blood sugar-lowering properties
Antioxidants are molecules that help protect against compounds called free radicals, which can damage your cells .
Hibiscus is rich in powerful antioxidants and may therefore help prevent damage and disease caused by the buildup of free radicals.
One study in people with Marfan syndrome, a disorder that affects connective tissue, found that an infusion of hibiscus extract reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant levels in the blood.
An animal study had similar findings, showing that hibiscus extract helped protect against cell damage in rats.
However, these studies used concentrated doses of hibiscus extract rather than hibiscus tea. More research is needed to determine how antioxidants in hibiscus tea may affect humans.
May help lower blood pressure
One of the most impressive and well-known benefits of hibiscus tea is that it may help lower blood pressure.
Over time, high blood pressure can place extra strain on the heart and cause it to weaken. High blood pressure is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease .
Several studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
In one small study, 46 people with high blood pressure consumed either hibiscus tea or a placebo. After 1 month, those who drank hibiscus tea had a greater decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure than those who took the placebo .
Similarly, a 2015 review of five studies found that hibiscus tea decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 7.58 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and 3.53 mmHg, respectively .
While hibiscus tea may be a safe and natural way to help lower blood pressure, it is not recommended for those who are taking medications to treat high blood pressure, as it may interact with these drugs
May help improve blood fat levels
In addition to lowering blood pressure, some studies have found that hibiscus tea may help improve blood fat levels, which can be another risk factor for heart disease.
In a small 2009 study, 60 people with diabetes consumed either hibiscus tea or black tea. After 1 month, those who drank hibiscus tea had increased levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides .
Another older study in people with metabolic syndrome found that taking 100 milligrams of hibiscus extract daily was associated with decreased total cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol .
A 2022 review found that hibiscus tea could reduce levels of LDL cholesterol more effectively than other types of tea or a placebo .
However, other studies have produced conflicting results regarding hibiscus tea’s effects on blood cholesterol.
In fact, a review of 7 studies with a total of 362 participants concluded that hibiscus tea did not significantly reduce total cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Most studies showing a benefit of hibiscus tea on blood fat levels have been limited to people with specific health conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
More large-scale studies examining the effects of hibiscus tea on blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels are needed to determine its potential effects in the general population.
May boost liver health
Your liver has several functions — such as producing proteins, secreting bile, and breaking down fat — that are essential to your overall health .
Interestingly, studies have shown that hibiscus may promote liver health and help keep your liver working efficiently.
A small 2014 study in 19 people with overweight found that taking hibiscus extract for 12 weeks improved liver steatosis. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to liver failure .
A study in hamsters also demonstrated the potential liver-protecting properties of hibiscus extract, showing that treatment with hibiscus extract decreased markers of liver damage.
In 2022, another animal study reported that hibiscus extract helped improve fatty liver disease in rats fed a high fat diet .
However, all these studies assessed the effects of hibiscus extract rather than hibiscus tea. Further research is necessary to find out how hibiscus tea affects liver health in humans.
Could promote weight loss
Several studies suggest that hibiscus tea may be associated with weight loss and could help protect against obesity.
In one small 2014 study, 36 participants with overweight consumed either hibiscus extract or a placebo. After 12 weeks, those who had taken hibiscus extract had reductions in body weight, body fat, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio.
An animal study had similar findings, suggesting that hibiscus extract could help reduce body weight and appetite by preventing the accumulation of fat cells .
Current research is limited to studies using concentrated doses of hibiscus extract. More studies are needed to determine how hibiscus tea may influence weight loss in humans.
Contains compounds that may help prevent cancer
Hibiscus is high in polyphenols, which are compounds that have been shown to possess powerful anticancer properties .
Test-tube studies have found impressive results regarding the potential effects of hibiscus extract on cancer cells.
In one test-tube study, hibiscus extract impaired cell growth and reduced the invasiveness of mouth and plasma cell cancers .
Another test-tube study reported that hibiscus leaf extract prevented human prostate cancer cells from spreading .
Hibiscus extract and its components have also been shown to inhibit the growth of other types of cancer cells in test-tube studies, including breast, stomach, and skin cancer .
Keep in mind that these were test-tube studies using large amounts of hibiscus extract. Research in humans is needed to evaluate the potential effect of hibiscus tea on cancer.
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can cause a variety of infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.
Some test-tube studies have found that, in addition to having antioxidant and anticancer properties, hibiscus could help protect against bacterial infections.
In fact, one test-tube study found that hibiscus extract inhibited the activity of E. coli, a strain of bacteria that can cause symptoms such as cramping, gas, and diarrhea .
Another test-tube study showed that the extract fought eight strains of bacteria and was as effective as some medications used to treat bacterial infections .
However, no human studies have looked at the antibacterial effects of hibiscus tea, so it is still unclear how these results may translate to humans.
Side Effects of Hibiscus:
Before consuming any herb, one should consult an Ayurvedic physician because the herbs may have specific side effects. The side effects of hibiscus are as follows:
Hibiscus seeds might have anti-nutritional factors that may reduce nutrient uptake, minimise food digestion, decrease nutrient bioavailability and produce flatulence (gas). People having digestion problems must consult a doctor before using hibiscus.
Various studies suggested that consumption at high doses for an extended period may cause liver injury. It may also lead to high blood pressure and sudden cardiac arrest.
Patients with kidney problems should take advice from a doctor before having Hibiscus extract. When consumed at a higher amount, it can increase plasma creatinine levels, leading to muscular dysfunctionand loss of kidney function.
However, if any such side effects are observed after having hibiscus, please get in touch with an Ayurvedic physician who advised you to have the herb. They will provide the appropriate treatment to overcome the side effects.